The Milwaukee 3497-22 M12 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit is a cordless combo kit built around a 1/2 inch hammer drill/driver and a 1/4 inch hex impact driver. This is a drill and impact driver combo kit designed for drilling, hammer drilling, and fastening in tight spaces. Model Number 3497-22. If you want compact tools that still handle real installation and service work, this kit is aimed right at that sweet spot.

Milwaukee positions this kit around subcompact size and speed under load, and the included tool set makes that easy to understand on the job. The hammer drill gives you a 1/2 inch all-metal chuck for stronger bit grip and better long-term durability, plus a mechanical clutch for more consistent screw driving across different fastener sizes. The impact driver adds 4-mode drive control with a dedicated self-tapping screw mode, so you get better control when you need finesse and fast output when you're running long fasteners.

What separates this kit from a basic compact set is how much jobsite performance Milwaukee packs into the M12 FUEL platform. The tools use a brushless motor and REDLINK PLUS intelligence to manage power and heat, which is a big deal when you're drilling or driving continuously instead of just doing the occasional quick task. Milwaukee also calls out the impact driver as its fastest subcompact impact driver, with up to 3,600 RPM listed in supplementary product data and 1,500 in-lbs of torque. In plain terms, that means it is built to keep moving on repetitive fastening work instead of feeling like a light-duty backup tool.

There are also a few practical design details that make this kit easier to live with day to day. The impact driver is only 5 inches long and 7.6 inches tall with the compact battery installed, which helps when you are driving screws inside electrical boxes, mechanical rooms, casework, and other cramped areas. Its Tri-LED lighting surrounds the collet to throw light directly at the fastener. On the drill side, the all-metal chuck and all-metal gearcase matter because those are the areas that usually show wear first when a compact drill gets used hard.

Battery setup is another strong point here. The kit includes both an M12 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 battery and an M12 REDLITHIUM CP 2.0 battery, so you can choose longer runtime or a lighter, more compact setup depending on the task. That is a smart mix for service work because you are not locked into one battery size. Since this kit is part of the Milwaukee M12 system, the tools are also compatible with the broader M12 battery platform, which Milwaukee lists at over 125 tools.

This combo kit makes the most sense for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, remodelers, punch-list crews, maintenance teams, and serious DIY users who want compact cordless tools without giving up speed and control. If most of your work happens in finished spaces, overhead, or in places where a bulky drill slows you down, this kit is a practical buy. If you mostly drill large holes all day or run structural fasteners nonstop, you may still want a larger platform for max output, but for compact everyday drilling and fastening, this setup hits a very useful middle ground.

Milwaukee 3497-22 M12 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit for guys who want compact tools without settling for weak ones

This is one of the better compact drill and impact kits for service work, interior installs, and everyday carry because it gives you real speed, useful control, and a smart battery mix in a small package.

• Who it's for: Tradesmen and serious DIY users who spend more time in tight spaces than on wide-open framing jobs.
• Why it stands out: The combo of M12 FUEL brushless performance, Tri-LED visibility, a 1/2 inch all-metal chuck, and both compact and extended-capacity batteries makes this kit more versatile than a lot of entry-level combo sets.
• Worth knowing: This is a compact 12V platform kit, so it is a smart choice for access and daily carry, not the first pick if your work is mostly heavy structural drilling all day.

• Is this a brushed or brushless combo kit? It is a brushless combo kit in Milwaukee's M12 FUEL line.
• Does the drill have hammer mode? Yes. The included drill is a 1/2 inch hammer drill/driver.
• What battery platform does it use? It uses Milwaukee M12 batteries and is part of the broader M12 system.
• Does the impact driver have a work light? Yes. It uses a Tri-LED work light setup around the collet for better visibility.